Description via website: “Berkeley Ballet Theater is a non-profit ballet school in Berkeley, California founded in 1981. Our mission is to provide rigorous classical ballet training to students of all ages in a diverse and nurturing environment and enrich the community by bringing the joy of dance to everyone. ”

Description via Website: “Carla Escoda trained as a ballet and modern dancer at Ballet Philippines in Manila, with the Connecticut Ballet, and at Yale University, where she performed with the Yaledancers and received her B.S. and M.S. in Engineering & Applied Science with a double major in French Literature.”

Reviews:

Carla is friendly, fun, and exceptionally intuitive to her students’ needs. She gives wonderful explanations and corrections that explain why moves/postures are the way they are, and why they need to be done a certain way to build strength or avoid injury. She also uses fun, non traditional music in the studio that brings a fresh beat to ballet!

Description via website: Room to Dance was opened in July of 2011 by April MacLean. After attending the BFA dance program at University of California, Riverside, April found that there was truly no appropriate place to continue training. While Riverside had plenty of dance studios, the ‘adult’ classes were sporadic
and defined as ’14 years and up’. She quickly realized that Riverside needed a place where ‘grown ups’
could discover and re-discover their love of movement. During the first year of business, April started meeting regularly with one of her instructors, Julie Simon to discuss the growth of the studio and the rapidly changing community.

Description via website: “Classical and Contemporary Dance, founded and directed by Tamara Grose, is a supportive and non-judgemental environment for dance students. Tamara has adapted a teaching philosophy rooted in patience, understanding, guidance and structure using the art of discipline. She combines her experience as a world class professional classical and modern dancer, instructor, choreographer, certified yoga instructor and certified massage therapist to enhance and enrich her classes. Tamara’ s style of teaching emphasizes body awareness, alignment, strength and the integration of mindfulness.”

Reviews:

I love this studio! I have never been to a dance studio that offered so many opportunities for adult, non-professional dancers. You don’t have to be a pre-professional to receive excellent, professional-level instruction here. A large variety of classes are offered for adults and teens, especially focusing on ballet and pointe, and these classes are no joke! They are long (1.5 to 2 hours for technique, and 1 hour for pointe), so you get a good barre, stretch, and center, along with plenty of time to discuss concepts and technique. While the instruction is professional and detailed, there is no need to worry about dress code or a toxic atmosphere. You can wear whatever you feel comfortable in, and everyone is positive, friendly, and welcoming. No drama divas here! The prices are also very fair – just compare them to other studios in the area – and you pay less per hour the more hours you dance per week. This is the perfect studio for anyone who is considering trying ballet, as well as for adults who want a more intensive ballet school. The first class is free, the music is great, and the instructors can work with any physical limitations that a dancer may have. Plus, they offer the rare opportunity for a beginner adult or teen dancer to eventually go en pointe with enough training. They even offer partnering workshops, pre-pointe, variations, and even a summer intensive open to adults. Adult dancers are treated like true DANCERS! Best of all, CCD offers TWO performances each year at Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park! If you have ever dreamed of performing in a ballet, yet thought you were too old, you’re in luck! These are not recitals, but full-fledged productions. They are not necessarily classical ballet-based, but also incorporate jazz, tap, and contemporary. It is an amazing experience to take part in one of these productions! They are not your usual ballet fare, either. For 2010, CCD put on original productions of “Alice in Wonderland” and “Nightmare Before Christmas”. A welcome change from the usual “Nutcracker”! I should also mention that the floor and facilities are fantastic. The studio is clean and fresh (no dust bunnies!), and the floor is sprung with multi-purpose Marley which is perfect for pointe work. It is well heated in winter.

Reviews:

This isn’t a fancy high-tech place, but the teachers are in it to win it. Natalie Test especially has the desire to encourage beginners to improve. Top notch instructors and classes for all levels of adult students.